Good Morning,
Well, I am feeling fabulous this morning! After I came back from Darley yesterday, I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the day in my regular routine with my friends. We had a great time ‘visiting’ and “just doing girl talk!” It was also a day when one reflects on one’s family. I have this great photo of Mario I wanted to share with YOU. When he came to visit me last time, Mario also spent some fun time visiting other farms. He really wanted to meet MY MOM, VERTIGINEUX. We were able to make this happen for him.
During his visit with Vertigineux, he spent a great deal of time just laughing and smiling! I guess it is because she is “MY MOM”! Mario commented that we have some very similar physical qualities. She is also a good-sized MARE with a PRETTY FACE and GREAT eyes! And look at those adorable EARS! I really believe all of my friends at BARN 55 would know them ANYWHERE! (I think my whole family has a ‘thing’ for fabulous EARS!) Very, very cute!
As for my personal ‘baby’ status, many of you asked several questions about what happens next. Well, with horses, the vets will scan me at approximately 16 days to see if “I look to be in foal”. This is considered to be the ‘early pregnancy scan’. If all looks to be in good order…they will rescan me about 12-14 days later. The primary goal of these early check-ups/scans is always to monitor the “IN FOAL STATUS.” The third pregnancy scan is done 42-45 days from the breeding date. This one is especially important. At this stage, it is really a good sign when all is A-OK with the pregnancy. So, I’ll update you as we go along…but the 42-45 day report is very, very important!
Like I said yesterday…HOOVES CROSSED.
All of my CA FRIENDS and BARN 55 are very excited! Dottie was teasing them….THINK “BLUE” or THINK “PINK.” The anticipation is so much fun! Also, I did want to tell you that I so appreciate ALL of the KIND WORDS, CONCERN, and THOUGHTS you shared with ME on my Web-site and Facebook Page. You are all such loving and caring friends! I hope the next year is a GREAT EXPERIENCE for all of us! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!
I will keep you posted!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL~
Z
Sheri Deets
Your mama is gorgeous too! Best of luck in the “baby” department! Do you have to give up your daily Guinness?? Thank you so much for keeping all of us informed. It really is apprecited.
Jan
Zenyatta, your mother is gorgeous. She is VERY regal, but you’ve got her beat in the cute area. I will be thinking “BLUE” for you. Thank you for sharing this most wonderful experience. This is all new to me so very interesting. Much love to you, Zeny.
Lori Stein
If you love thoroughbred racehorses you go through life hoping to see just one more in whose presence the clouds fall away to reveal the mountain tops. It can take a generation or infinately longer for such a horse to arrive, a horse that is capable of carrying the human heart. For the last 100 years we know them all by name, but Zenyatta brought to us a beauty that was a tonic for the soul. She allowed us to believe in the impossible, and it was the light of her being as much as the thrill of her races that got us dancing. Zenyatta was transformative!
Oh boy was she ever, and she always will be. If her foals can bring all her fans just one ounce of the joy she brings to us we will all be so lucky!!!
WE LOVE YOU ZENYATTA!
Annie
Zenyatta you have become a famous sportswriter. When I clicked on “horse racing” in Yahoo, an article about your visit to the breeding shed got top billing. The article quoted from your diary. My hooves are crossed.
ENSIGN
@ Sharon Call,
.
Nope, Eblouissant is a solid dark bay/brown filly, much in the mold of her sire. Bernardini does have offspring with white markings, there’s just not many out there with big, flashy white markings.
Kitei
@Nancy L ~ How much of Zenyatta’s behaviour could be described as being like that of any other horse or horses, or even an average thoroughbred? She’s perceptibly “all present and accounted for” on a high level, and isn’t called “the Queen” for nothing! Besides, when did you notice Zenyatta taking a “just don’t care” attitude about anyone in her realm of influence? She has always lived in an environment enriched with so much love and attention, and always seems to treat everyone (without exception) like family, not like strangers. This is probably because she knows something we don’t, which is possible because she has always been encouraged to be her natural open, loving and interested self. She’s the obverse of the GIGO concept — with her it is “greatness in, greatness out”…
BTW — I have a friend who just got back in touch with her birth mother, and not only do they look uncannily like each other, they have the same interests and sense of humor and are both floored to realize how similar they really are, in spite of not having seen each other for a lifetime. That IS magical. Maybe you shouldn’t knock it until you try it, too…you could be missing out on something truly special. You could “win” whichever way it went — one way you’d get to be right, the other way you’d gain a friend and get to be delighted! ;)
ashley
AWWWWWWWW Z!! Now i see where you get your good looks from!! like mother very much like daughter!! <3
Sharon Call
@Ensign. Thanks for the info. The last I read Ebloussiant was almost 16.2 at 2 years old. Do you think she’s going to be at least 17 hh or possibly more? That would have to come from Vertigineaux, wouldn’t it, since Bernadini is 16.2-1/2?
Sharon Call
@Ensign. Oops, forgot to ask again. Isn’t Eblouissant going to John for training this year?
Abigail from Montreal
Hi sweet Zenny.
I just LOVE reading all the comments on each blog. It always leaves me with lots to think about. I had seen photos of your dam awhile back…once I fell head over heels in love with you, I just wanted to know all about you! I’m so glad you had a good day with your girlfriends when you got back from your mate-date. Makes me think that you’re taking it all in stride and that the experience was really, truly fine for you.
Someone up above here, commenting on your dam & sire, wrote “All Too Beautiful” — that’s my nomination for your foal’s name, boy or girl. Because that’s what the “Zenyatta experience” has been for us all, from those closest to you to a fan like me, way up North in Canuck country!!!!
Beatrice Lian
Your mommy is just beautiful, Zenyatta! You look very much like her. Your daddy, Street Cry, is also very handsome. What a lovely & talented family!! Hope all goes well with you regarding your bambino.
Karen
Divine Zenyatta, how wonderful to see your gorgeous mom. You are both look-alikes. The apple never falls far from the tree!! And those eyes and those ears that are just likes yours, Z. You are both so beautiful. Does she dance like you do? And does she like a Guiness once in a while? I love you.
ENSIGN
@ Sharon Call,
.
Some stallions tend to throw offspring taller or shorter than themselves. Bernardini is pretty well right on average height for a TB stallion while Zenyatta is a bit above average height for a filly or colt. Could certainly be coming from her dam. Zenyatta obviously has a strong resemblance to her.
.
Last word was that Eblouissant was supposed to be going to John in April, but that may have been moved to a bit later date. Much like her big sister, it will depend on her.
Sandra Frey
I’m sure you have that glow about you today! Of course, you have it EVERY DAY! Really hoping you will be “in foal” and I have to tell you….it will be a LONG 11 months for all of your friends awaiting the birth of this little miracle! I wish you nothing but the very best life has to offer. xoxoxo
Sally (B)
Sweetie Z!! When your post first came up and I looked, I thought it was you!! Then I looked closer and she only had the little star-like blaze. You have a lovely mom, and her eyes, ears like you!! We all are so lucky, to follow your life.(Thanks Dottie) To thank you for all you give to us, I think we should all pray as a group for the health of you and your foal!! How awesome would that be; a big prayer group. I have lately had to pray for a number of people that I know. I don’t mean to offend any that don’t, but those of us that do, do it! I know it works!!
I am delighted to hear you just went on having fun with your friends after being with Bernadini. I am relaxed knowing the care you get at Lane’s End is because they love you and your team Z loves you. I am happy because you are happy.
love you n a kiss on your soft nose!!!
Kathy Kimber
I love the picture of Mario and your Momma I just know when he saw her he told her all about you and she is so proud. I* wish she could see you. I hope Mario can come back soon to see you we all appreciate what he has done for you. Your baby is going to be so beautiful. After all Bernie is so handsome, light on his feet, sweet tempered, patient and rich too although that isn’t really so important. You’re a lucky lady and he is a very lucky guy. Hugs
Debbie Marchione
Now I know where you get your good looks! Your mom is beautiful!! Make sure you get plenty of rest for your little foal!!
Kate
How wonderful to see a photo of Vertigineux! I worked for Michael Dickinson when Vertigineux was there in training and from what I have read about Zenyatta, she inherited a lot of her mother’s personality!!! Vertigineux was a little more highly strung (probably from her daddy Kris S.) but she was very “people-oriented” and kind. She loved attention and affection! I have a photo of her as a 4-year old, an Z looks just like her momma! The size & the sweetness genes are definitely Vertigineux’s… :) I for one am hoping for pink… Good luck Zenyatta!
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, Your mom is really gorgeous and you inherited her height and beautiful coloring with the blaze. The competitive but sweet element from Street Cry?
I look forward to pictures of Mike, Mario and the Moss’s, John and Dottie beaming with pride with the new baby and Z. It’s a long wait!!!
Love and Hugs!
Tracey Dryks
Like Mother! Like Daughter!! That is the best compliment a Mom could get! All the best to you Zenyatta!! kisses
sue w
Zenny…you sure do look like “Mom”. She is a real beauty and looks very intelligent.
You bet that “hooves are crossed” for you during this very important time. It would give me the biggest thrill to know you are safely in foal. What a wonderful mother you will be! I loved that pictue of Mario. His smile lights up the entire space around him. What a joyous time you must have had together.
For those interested in visiting Zen, Charles and Mr. Farish of LE have said in various interviews things will be worked out but not until she is totally settled in. Since she has been bred I think something will happen over the summer. A local Y in Louisville is auctioning off a meet and greet with Zenny in June so just be patient…it will happen.
We are so lucky to have this website and Dottie to keep us updated. This is certainly a first in the horse industry.
This site has to be the most uplifting one I visit on the internet.
Bobbi
Hey Z and Dottie: I like Patricia’s idea of a Z/Vertigineux charm or other product that could be sold for Mother’s Day with proceeds going to charity. You know this fan base would snap them up! I also like your idea @RobbiePK.
ENSIGN
I’m sure it’s been posted above but I honestly just skimmed through the posts.
.
Vertigineux is in foal to Henrythenavigator so this will be a full sibling to the filly she had by him March last year.
.
Slightly off topic, but my condolences to the owners and connections of Clear Mandate who died of foaling complications. Broodmares and birth are a blessed thing but every season we inevitibly lose some of these gals to foaling complications. Very sad.
Katherine
Your Mom is beautiful. I’m thinking “pink”. I hope for a little girl who grows up to be just like her mom.
mary bobolis
Dottie, many thanks for these terific daily postings. No other connections would take the time to do this. Zenny looks like her mother Vertigineux, a big mare with a kind face and eye. I am so glad Mario got to visit her during his visit. I hope he can return to see Zenny again in the near future, as I fear she will forget him.
max
Your mother is beautiful and regal looking like you. Happy to hear that you doing well with your little group of pals on that nice farm. Stay healthy, Queen Z. All of your fans wish only the very best for you.
Carolyn equineheart _Carolyn K
Dear Mommy Z ( hooves crossed) Bless you today for giving us the pleasure of this great pic of your Mom…SMILING…I thought it was you for the BEAUTY has carried on through your Sire and Dam”s genes !!!!I love you sooooooooo XOXO PS I’m in for the $5 !!!!
Great idea !!
Randy
@Kitei and @Nancy L — Thank you so much for your replies, and I loved the link that also addressed my question… fascinating!
Janet Cutting
Hi Zenny– Your Mom is a striking beauty and I am seeing pink for you, Zenny!! @Ensign, I know you are busy w/questions but here’s another– I am picturing alot of mares being due about the same time–how do you handle all of the births happening? Thanks,Janet C
Elaine
Tell your Mom that it is wonderful to be a Grandmother! My granddaughter was born Feb. 11…..and I adore her!